APC Primaries: One Shot Dead As Security Operatives Disperse Protesting Youths

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

One person was shot dead and others injured on Saturday, following an outbreak of violence at an All Progressive Congress APC primaries’ venue in Kasuwan Ali Community, Mangu Local Council of Plateau state.

The victim, one Sani Abdullahi, was allegedly shot and killed by military personnel who were part of the security arrangement during the House of Representatives primaries .

He was shot dead following a disagreement, and later a protest that resulted from the delayed arrival of electoral officials for the primaries.

According to eyewitness accounts, trouble began when electoral officials billed to conduct the primaries were nowhere to be found, a development that led to the non-commencement of the exercise on schedule.

The non-arrival of the officials led to the departure of party and Government officials from the venue.

However, the youths were  uncomfortable with the situation, especially the departure of party and Government officials  which they perceived to signpost a hidden agenda to manipulate the exercise.

Consequently, they protested and blocked the party and Government officials from leaving the venue, a development which forced military officers on duty into attempting to break the protest.

“The exercise was supposed to hold on Saturday morning, but it didn’t take place because of the absence of returning officers. 

“So, the youths started protesting, alleging that the delay was deliberate.

“As this was going on, Government officials who came to witness the exercise decided to leave because of the absence of the electoral officials.

“But some youths blocked the road to prevent them from leaving the venue. The youth insisted that the Government officials will not leave until the arrival of the electoral officials.

“This drew the attention of security personnel who moved in to disperse the youths. In the process, bullets hit the victim”, a local volunteered.

The unfortunate incident expectedly has raised the political temperature of the already restive and terrorists-infested Plateau State.

As at the time of reporting, neither the APC nor the Plateau State Government has reacted to the development.